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theguardian.com
Brexit rule change means British teens in EU face soaring student fees for UK degrees
‘Home fee’ qualification ends in 2028, leaving those hoping to study in UK not now eligible for British loansBritish teenagers living in the EU could be priced out of UK universities in two years’ time as a Brexit rule change means they face the double whammy of paying costlier international fees, while losing access to student finance.British passport holders living in the EU still qualify for “home fee” status at UK universities. But this will no longer be the case when the grace period ends in 2028, meaning the first wave to be affected are starting their A-levels, or equivalent, this autumn. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Severn Trent doubles CEO reward plan to £3.1m despite anger over water pay
Increase to long-term incentive plan means James Jesic could significantly outearn predecessor Liv GarfieldSevern Trent has doubled the size of a long-term reward scheme for its new chief executive to as much as £3.1m and he could receive significantly more than his predecessor, despite anger over water bosses’ pay.The FTSE 100 water company said its long-term incentive plan (LTIP) would increase from 200% of new chief executive James Jesic’s base salary to 400%, according to changes revealed in the company’s most recent annual report. Jesic could receive as much as £4.8m in a single year after salary, annual bonus, LTIP and benefits are counted. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran begins six-day funeral for Ayatollah Khamenei nearly four months after his death
Iran plans a six-day funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with ceremonies across Iran and Iraq before burial in Mashhad.
cnbc.com
Macron and Modi turn on personal charm offensives as France and India race to secure AI investment
Macron and Modi are courting tech CEOs as France and India seek AI data center investment and cloud infrastructure.
cnbc.com
Feds seek lower prison term for $100M New Jersey deli fraudster — but some reasons why are hidden
James Patten is the third person who will be sentenced in the stock manipulation scheme related to Hometown International, a company that owned just one deli.
bbc.co.uk
Security staff strikes averted at Aberdeen Airport
The strikes, involving baggage screening staff, were due begin on Monday with the Unite union warning of "significant delays".
cnbc.com
Extreme heat wave threatens U.S. power grids and July 4 travel
The heat wave threatens to overwhelm U.S. grids and may force some to change their plans on one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
cnbc.com
First known congressional SpaceX stock buys surface after record IPO
The SpaceX stock purchases come as Elon Musk’s company deepens its role in federal contracting and remains closely tied to President Donald Trump’s Washington.
theguardian.com
Americans disgusted at Trump earning $1bn from crypto as president: ‘Obviously a grift’
Hundreds of Guardian readers expressed concerns over greed in the White House and a billionaire president unconcerned with high gas and grocery pricesDonald Trump has earned more than $1bn from his crypto businesses since returning to the White House, according to recent financial disclosures.Amid questions of conflict of interest, more than 400 Americans expressed feelings of outrage, disgust and despair at their president. They answered a Guardian call for their views on Trump’s fortune. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How to avoid fees when spending abroad
Martin is revealing everything you need to know right now to cut the cost of getting away.
bbc.co.uk
'Start work at 11' - but will other bosses be as flexible over England's 1am match?
Employers are being urged to use their "common sense" to allow staff to work flexibly where they can.
theguardian.com
London has lost ‘catastrophic’ 89% of car club vehicles since Zipcar exit
Only 330 car club vehicles available for rent after big provider left British market, data revealsThe number of car club vehicles in London has fallen by a “catastrophic” 89% since Zipcar ended its service in late 2025, with former users being pushed to consider buying or leasing.Car clubs allow drivers to use vehicles parked around a city, using apps to book and unlock them. Zipcar dominated London’s car club market before the US company’s shock decision to pull out in December 2025. That left a gap that has yet to be filled for Londoners without a car. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
New pipeline in Canada to proceed after C$150bn pledged to ease BC and First Nations concerns
Port expansion and protections for whales part of BC and Alberta plan to expand country’s presence overseasThe governments of Canada and the province of Alberta will move forward on a major new oil pipeline after the pair announced a plan to ease concerns of British Columbia and First Nations on the Pacific coast.Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, shuttled between British Columbia and Alberta on Thursday to announce more than C$150bn in new investments in both provinces, part of a broader project of reducing trade with the United States and expanding his country’s presence in overseas markets. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Instagram running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India, BBC finds
The ads use terms including “rape” and “child video” and link to content on the messaging app Telegram.
theguardian.com
A council housebuilding boom is central to Burnham’s vision. Can it be done?
In the third of a series on nationalisation, we look at the huge challenge as 1.5m families wait for social housing‘Commanding heights of the economy’: the postwar blueprint that inspires BurnhamWill Andy Burnham ‘go big’ in expanding the role of the state?From the front garden of the red-brick terrace where she has lived for nearly three decades, Coral McKeown, 50, points to the gleaming new council house she was supposed to move into five years ago.It sits behind heavy metal fences surrounded by building work and an empty construction vehicle. She does not expect it to be ready until next year at the earliest. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
SSE Airtricity bills to increase by more than £70 a year
SSE Airtricity said electricity bills will increase by 6.2% seeing the customer's bill rise by about 20p a day- that's £71.57 extra a year.
theguardian.com
UK summer bookings jump as Britons put off overseas holidays by travel fears
Reports of ‘stampede’ for stays near water amid concerns over cancelled flights, higher air fares and EU border delaysSummer bookings at Britain’s hotels and holiday parks have jumped, compared with last year, as fears about flight cancellations and long delays at EU borders have prompted many UK holidaymakers to stay closer to home this year.There has been a surge in last-minute bookings for UK holidays amid warnings that airlines will have to raise their fares because of higher jet fuel bills that have resulted from the war in the Middle East. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Burnham says there is some room for movement on tax
But the likely next PM says he will stick to Labour's pledges to not raise VAT, income tax or national insurance.
cnbc.com
The Tech Download: Amazon’s devices chief Panos Panay on tech giant's AI gadget push
CNBC's Arjun Kharpal sits down Amazon's Panay on the latest episode of The Tech Download podcast.
theguardian.com
Starling Bank to cut 130 jobs and boost investment in AI to reduce costs
The London-based fintech says restructuring is necessary to reduce ‘duplicate’ rolesBusiness live – latest updatesStarling Bank has said it will cut more than 100 jobs as it invests more heavily in artificial intelligence to push down costs.The digital-only bank told staff that 3% of its workforce, or 130 jobs, would be made redundant, as part of a restructuring of its banking and tech operations. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'Not a lot of Gen Z trust the state pension system'
Young people tells the BBC what they think about the state pension.
cnbc.com
AI is outpacing the rules, Europe’s top bankers and regulators warn
Europe's top bankers and financial regulators are grappling with how to better regulate AI risks.
cnbc.com
Trump’s Freedom 250 draws corporate sponsors with business before his administration
Companies with federal interests — including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Oracle — are sponsoring a Trump-aligned effort celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
bbc.co.uk
'Less than 10% sheep': How millions may have unknowingly eaten goat, skin and fat kebabs
Millions are likely to have eaten "lamb" kebabs that were actually made with goat, skin and fat.
bbc.co.uk
Excitement and concerns over credit card plans
Some islanders say changes will help but others are worried about their data being shared.
theguardian.com
US residents angry at datacenters ‘being shoved down our throats’ are recalling officials
People across the country are pushing for moratoriums, and electeds who approve projects are being punishedLenoxdatacenter.com went live in May, promoting what it called a “proposed advanced technology and data center campus” in Michigan. The site did not state who wanted to build the center. Lenox Township officials denied anyone had applied to build one.Emails obtained by residents through an open records request showed, however, that developers had contacted the township supervisor and deputy supervisor asking for their support to build a datacenter. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
No-gift policy for Taylor Swift, but how much should you give at a wedding?
Wedding lists are being replaced by cash requests, but guests are divided over how much to give.
cnbc.com
Christine Lagarde leaves door open to early ECB exit, as she mulls French politics
The European Central Bank's Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out an early end to her term as president, as she mulls a foray into French politics.
bbc.co.uk
Tackle workplace sickness to unlock hidden growth, former John Lewis boss says
More than 250 of the UK's biggest employers have signed up to his 'Get Britain Working' taskforce.
cnbc.com
Gold prices set for first weekly rise in a month as investors scale back Fed rate hike bets
The metal was boosted as investors scaled back their bets on a looming rate hike.
cnbc.com
Kuaishou shares jump after Tencent joins $2.8 billion raise for Kling AI subsidiary
Kuaishou shares rose as much as 6.89% at Friday's Hong Kong market open before paring gains to trade around 0.75% higher.
cnbc.com
Oman walks a diplomatic tightrope over Strait of Hormuz fees, creating a ‘blind spot’ for markets
Oman is using strategic ambiguity as talks over possible Strait of Hormuz fees raise legal, diplomatic and oil market concerns.
theguardian.com
Gymshark founder in talks to buy back part of stake sold to private equity firm
Ben Francis, who started business in parents’ garage, sold 21% stake in deal that created £1.25bn sportswear brandBusiness live – latest updatesThe founder of Gymshark is in talks to buy back a portion of the stake he sold to private equity in a deal that created a billion-pound sportswear empire, as the 34-year-old looks to increase his control of the exercise clothing brand.Ben Francis, who started the business sewing his own gym clothes in his parents’ garage in 2012, sold a 21% stake to the US private equity firm General Atlantic in 2020. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Safe havens aren't behaving like they used to. Here's what's changed
Traditional safe-haven assets — U.S. Treasurys, the Japanese yen and gold — have struggled to provide protection during this year’s market volatility.
theguardian.com
Homes in England with kitchens that open on to the garden – in pictures
From a home with a patio in Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’ to a Lincolnshire barn that opens out to create one al fresco space Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Burnham’s funding gap: what state are UK finances in for the PM-in-waiting?
Given pressures on the public purse, the Makerfield MP may have to look at autumn tax rises to fund his ‘new direction’An economy rattled by a global energy shock, jittery bond markets and rising spending demands. As Andy Burnham prepares for government, the pressures on the public finances are in focus.The prospective prime minister pledged a new direction for Britain this week within two constraints: sticking to Labour’s current fiscal rules, and consistency with its 2024 manifesto. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Trump on 'nothing illegal,' family matters and foregoing the Presidential salary
In an exclusive interview with CNBC's Joe Kernen, President Donald Trump covers a wide range of topics on his agenda.
bbc.co.uk
Livery bookings rise as horse owners struggle with costs
The livery provides an affordable service for owners to be able to have their horses cared for.
theguardian.com
Spyware used against MEP investigating Pegasus abuses, report finds
Researchers say Stelios Kouloglou’s device was compromised after he joined European parliamentary committeeNSO Group’s hacking software was repeatedly used against a member of the European parliament while he was conducting an investigation of spyware abuses in Europe, according to a new report.Researchers at the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said they could not attribute the attacks against Stelios Kouloglou to any particular government operator of Pegasus spyware. But their investigation found the attack against the Greek now-former MEP bore the hallmarks of a previous hacking campaign against exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists in Europe. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Rafael Nadal talks tennis prize money, his hotels, and what sports taught him about business
Rafael Nadal opened his fourth Zel hotel as he expands into hospitality, education and sports after retiring from tennis.
cnbc.com
Venezuela quake toll climbs to 2,595 as damage estimates mount after strongest tremor in a century
Death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela jumped to 2,595, as rescue operations continued after the country's strongest tremors in over a century.
cnbc.com
OpenAI proposes 5% stake to Trump administration to ease Washington pressure: Report
Trump said in June that the U.S. taking an ownership stake in AI giants would be "a beautiful thing" and make American public "partners in this revolution."
theguardian.com
3,000% bonuses but a growing wealth divide: South Korea grapples with its AI chip boom
Powered by chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea is seeing a surge in wealth, but there are questions over who gets to share in the profitsWhen South Korea’s most high-profile divorce case returned to court last month, the lawyers were arguing not just about the breakdown of a relationship, but also the exact date at which to value shares in one specific company.The judges’ decision in Seoul could change the value of business tycoon Chey Tae-won’s assets by billions of dollars. The shares were in the holding company behind SK Hynix, the manufacturer of chips powering AI systems around the world. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Nvidia offers start-up customers chance to swap compute power for revenue share
Nvidia says it will give start-ups the chance to swap access to compute power for a slice of future profits under a new program aimed at AI-focused firms.
cnbc.com
5 takeaways from President Donald Trump's interview with CNBC
The president defended his family's business and said he feels bad that the presidency creates a conflict of interest in any of his children's investments.
bbc.co.uk
AI is 'not smart' so what's next in artificial intelligence?
Leading AI researcher Yan LeCun has a start-up which is developing a more flexible AI system.
cnbc.com
Jack Smith says he's 'very concerned what's going to happen next election' under Trump
Smith said that he could be indicted by the Department of Justice given Trump's animus toward him for prosecuting the president in two criminal cases.
cnbc.com
Trump bought Apple, Nvidia and other tech giants before tariff reversal fueled rebound
The day before President Donald Trump walked back his tariff policy turned out to be one of his busiest days of 2025 for stock buying.
bbc.co.uk
Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday for England Mexico match
The government had initially said it would not relax licensing laws further for the World Cup.
cnbc.com
Saudi Arabia has ramped up oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since U.S.-Iran deal
Saudi Arabia is restarting its export logistics in the Persian Gulf after a three-month pause, according to Kpler.
cnbc.com
Tesla stock sinks 7% despite strong deliveries report, posting worst day in nearly a year
Tesla is trying to recover from consecutive annual declines in vehicle sales that were partly caused by a consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk.
theguardian.com
Conflicts of interest? Trump only has one interest: himself | Robert Reich
The president made $2.2bn last year, with plenty of help from his own political decisions. This is called corruption, folksPeople in the US: share your views on Trump’s earnings in his second termIn financial disclosures released on Tuesday, Trump reported earning more than $1bn last year from his several cryptocurrency ventures.All told – including other parts of his vast holdings, such as his real estate assets – Trump made at least $2.2bn last year, as opposed to the roughly $622m his businesses raked in in 2024, before he returned to the presidency. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Job seekers giving up: Labor force participation rate falls to lowest in 50 years, outside of Covid era
A drop in the unemployment rate helped provide some upside to what was an otherwise downbeat jobs report — but it was for all the wrong reasons.
bbc.co.uk
Can our fridges cope with heatwaves?
An expert says many can not handle the high temperatures we have been experiencing.
bbc.co.uk
Old British fridges 'cannot cope with the heat'
Experts say older fridges are failing in hot weather as rising temperatures put them under pressure.
bbc.co.uk
Ryanair warns of 'queue chaos' from new EU border system
The airline calls on European governments to postpone the EES system until after the summer holiday period.
cnbc.com
U.S. job creation cools in June with payrolls growth of just 57,000; unemployment rate at 4.2%
Nonfarm payrolls were expected to rise by 115,000 in June and the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4.3%.
theguardian.com
Nigel Farage reported to standards watchdog over ‘crypto lobbying’
Commissioner asked to investigate Reform UK leader after private meeting with Bank of England governorThe standards watchdog has been urged to investigate whether Nigel Farage lobbied the Bank of England to drop a cryptocurrency plan that could be costly for the billionaire bankrolling his party, potentially in breach of parliamentary rules.The Reform UK leader has said his party’s major donor, Christopher Harborne, wanted nothing in exchange for the £15m he donated to the party and the undeclared £5m gift to Farage the Guardian revealed in April. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tesla sales surpass expectations for second quarter as Musk backlash seems to cool
Strong figures suggest Tesla’s auto business is regaining momentum after two straight annual sales declinesTesla blew past Wall Street estimates for second-quarter deliveries on Thursday, posting a record for the period as recovering demand in Europe outweighed persistent weakness in North America.The strong figures suggest Tesla’s mainstay auto business is regaining momentum after two straight annual sales declines, providing the spending cushion needed to power its ambitions in autonomous driving and artificial intelligence – the main drivers of the company’s roughly $1.6tn valuation. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia launches massive strike on Ukraine as Poland scrambles jets, Finland restricts airspace
The Russian Defense Ministry said that it launched a "massive strike using long-range precision air, land, and sea-based weapons and attack drones."
cnbc.com
Brookfield wants to build AI data centers in London’s answer to Wall Street
Brookfield's CEO said the firm is bringing data centers to London's Canary Wharf, as demand for AI infrastructure in the U.K. soars.
bbc.co.uk
How to bag a bargain flight
Finance expert Laura Pomfret shares her top tips for finding cheaper flights, from spotting rare error fares to knowing the best time to book. Plus, why airline bundles aren't always the bargain they seem.
theguardian.com
FCA ordered to partly suspend car finance compensation scheme
Court orders financial watchdog to halt parts of £9.1bn scheme until challenges are heard, delaying payoutsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s financial watchdog has been forced to partly suspend its £9.1bn car finance compensation scheme, delaying payouts for millions of motorists.The Financial Conduct Authority had expected the scheme would start paying out £830 on average this year to those affected by the motor finance scandal, in which drivers were overcharged for loans as a result of commission payments between lenders and car dealers between 2007 and 2024. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why the expected fight over the North American trade deal never kicked off
The US has confirmed it will not extend the agreement for another 16 years, but stopped short of more dramatic action.
bbc.co.uk
World Cup boom falters as US hospitality jobs fall in June
There had been early signs of a jobs boom from the tournament, but hospitality jobs declined in June.
theguardian.com
US employers added just 57,000 new jobs in June, lower than expected
The country’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.2% as US job growth also slowed for the monthSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailUS job growth slowed in June as employers added 57,000 new jobs – just about half of what economists had predicted – and the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its figures from the past two months down by a total of 74,000.The country’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.2%, but the number of unemployed people changed little, according to the latest data, as 720,000 people left the labor force. The bureau revised the unexpectedly high May figures from 172,000 new jobs to 129,000, and revised the April figures from 179,000 to 148,000. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Russia’s neighbor to scrap ban on nuclear weapons, says ‘situation is getting worse’
The decision comes shortly after lawmakers in Finland voted to lift its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons.
theguardian.com
Ministers call for better tracking of teenagers at risk of dropping out of work or training in England
Councils and schools urged to do more as figures show there is no information on whereabouts of 32,100 ‘Neets’Business live – latest updatesThe government has urged councils and schools in England to drastically improve the way they identify young people at risk of dropping out of training and work, as it admitted thousands are unaccounted for.Publishing official figures on Thursday, the government said councils had no information on the whereabouts of 32,100 young people aged 16 to 17 who were not in education, employment or training (Neet). Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Car finance compensation payments delayed until next year
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
theguardian.com
Fans in short supply as next UK heatwave approaches, says Currys
Retailer says sharp rise in fan sales over the latest heatwave weekend left stores scrambling to source stockBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Currys has said supplies of air conditioning and fans are “tight” ahead of another UK heatwave, expected next week, after a boom in sales sent retailers scrambling to source new stock.Alex Baldock, chief executive of the electrical goods retailer, said cooling kit had been “flying off the shelves” during June’s record heat in England. Sales of fans were up nearly 3,000% over the most recent heatwave weekend compared with a week earlier, while air conditioning sales increased 330%. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are taking mini-retirements
Many young people are choosing to spend money they would otherwise put into a pension, on trips now.
bbc.co.uk
Google must pay €4.1bn fine for using Android to 'block' rivals
A Google spokesperson said the judgement "fails to recognise" the firm's "significant investment to ensure Android remains open."
theguardian.com
Billionaire to invest £35bn in small modular nuclear reactors rollout across UK
Consortium led by Michał Sołowow planning enough SMRs to power equivalent of 8m homes for more than 60 yearsA consortium led by the billionaire industrialist Michał Sołowow has announced plans to build 14 small modular nuclear reactors on three sites across the UK, including the location of a former nuclear plant in Gloucestershire.The Polish entrepreneur and rally driver plans to use £35bn of private capital to roll out enough small modular reactors (SMRs) to power the equivalent of 8m UK homes for more than 60 years, or even power datacentre investments alongside Google. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
OpenAI ‘in early talks to give 5% stake to US government’
CEO Sam Altman argued move would share benefits of AI and it would involve other firms doing similar, report saysBusiness live – latest updatesOpenAI is reportedly in early stage talks to give a 5% stake in the ChatGPT developer to the US government as artificial intelligence companies attempt to smooth relations with Donald Trump’s administration.The OpenAI chief executive, Sam Altman, has argued that giving the US public a financial stake in the company is the best way to share the benefits of AI, according to the Financial Times, which cited two unnamed people familiar with the discussions. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Apple plans five new iPhones through 2027, eyes Chinese-made chips amid foldable push, reports say
Apple is planning five new iPhones by 2027 and is considering Chinese memory suppliers as it expands foldable production, reports say.
theguardian.com
Why is Nigel Farage being paid so much to promote a gold bullion company?
Reform UK leader was paid £270,000 for 12 hours’ work – but who is behind Direct Bullion and what does it do?Tell us: have you invested in gold through a specialist bullion company?Despite the demands of being the MP for Clacton and leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage has found time to develop several alternative income streams since being elected to parliament.His side hustles include being a social media influencer, presenting on GB News, and a stint recording on-demand videos for the Cameo platform – during which he appeared to endorse a neo-Nazi event, called for the release of the jailed rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, and was duped into voicing a pro-IRA slogan. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta says WhatsApp usernames are safeguarded against scams after India flags cybersecurity risks
Meta has defended its WhatsApp username feature after the Indian government raised cybersecurity concerns.
bbc.co.uk
Singapore seizes $42m mansion over Nvidia chip smuggling
The luxury home was seized as part of a probe into the illegal trade of servers containing AI semiconductors.
theguardian.com
Starmer’s goodbye gift to Britain: a US pharma deal that could be more lethal than Covid | Aditya Chakrabortty
This shadowy treaty on medicine imports will cost the NHS billions and take funding away from doctors, nurses, cancer scans and the restFor all the crowd noise and heavy-breathing match analysis, British democracy is a simple sport. We elect politicians to serve our interests. They direct the vital services that look after our families and communities, such as our healthcare and our schools. The entire political system rests on one basic premise: they work for us.Believe that, as I do, and this week is one of vast democratic failure. Rather than working for us, Keir Starmer and his ministers are acting against us. They have rammed through parliament a sweeping law that will, independent experts agree, harm the public; and they have done so without even coming clean on the costs or the consequences. What’s worse, MPs and the press have failed to put this under scrutiny.Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I spent $6,000 on a World Cup trip but was left stranded at the gate'
Hundreds of fans who bought World Cup tickets on resale site StubHub say they have had them cancelled at the last minute.
theguardian.com
I visited seven themed bars in one week. Can ball pits and bingo save British nightlife?
While most hospitality venues are struggling, there has been an enormous rise in ‘competitive socialising’. But why? And could I find the answer while dressed in a prison jumpsuit and drinking a daiquiri?British hospitality is in crisis. In the first quarter of 2026, three hospitality sites closed every day, while one in five remaining businesses fear collapse over the next year owing to rises in tax and employment costs. For those venues struggling to make ends meet in London in particular, there is the added worry of increasingly stringent licensing rules and influential lobby groups making once-thriving areas such as Soho a ghost town after 11pm.And yet one hospitality niche seems to be bucking the trend: themed bars. Blending booze with, say, axe-throwing, darts, immersive theatre or adult-sized ball pits, these experiential venues have seen a boom in recent years. A report from Savills estate agents found a 58% increase in “competitive socialising” venue openings in 2025 compared with 2018, while another survey found one in three adults had visited one of these venues in the UK in 2024-25. Photo-friendly interiors have made many of them a hit on social media, too. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Don't expect connected car apps to save your stolen car, experts say
Kia told the BBC UK law prevented its location tracking function being used to live track vehicles.
bbc.co.uk
Diesel sees biggest monthly fall in 26 years. What's happening to fuel prices?
When the US-Israel war with Iran began, fuel costs jumped, but they are now plummeting as hope of lasting peace grows.
bbc.co.uk
Halifax brand to be scrapped after 173 years
Lloyds says it remains committed to the town of Halifax and very little will change for customers.
bbc.co.uk
US blocks long-term renewal of North American trade deal
US blocks 16-year North America trade deal renewal, triggering annual rolling reviews
bbc.co.uk
Bibles, Home Alone and perfume: Six takeaways from Trump's 2025 finances
Official documents show the US president made billions of dollars as he returned to the White House.
bbc.co.uk
Trump made more than $1bn from crypto in first year back in office
The president's crypto income far outpaces his earnings from real estate and Trump-themed items such as watches.
bbc.co.uk
Brewery boss who banned phones and swearing from pubs dies aged 81
Humphrey Smith had been at the helm of the Tadcaster brewer since the 1980s.
bbc.co.uk
Up to 150 ex-WHSmith High Street stores to close as rescue deal approved
The sweeping restructuring, approved by a court, will see steep rent cuts on most remaining stores.
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham is about to have a crash course in hardcore geopolitics | Rafael Behr
The likely next prime minister would rather be in Warrington than Washington, but foreign policy will dominate his agenda more than he thinksIf Andy Burnham is lucky, he will get some time to adjust to the pace of life as prime minister before dealing with his first international crisis. It won’t be long.Donald Trump is an engine of constant turmoil. Aftershocks from his recent military adventure in the Middle East will be felt for years. None of the declared war aims were achieved. The Iranian regime was not toppled. The terms agreed for a ceasefire promise Tehran more generous sanctions relief with fewer conditions than were imposed under the nuclear containment deal that Barack Obama signed in 2015. It is a worse arrangement than the one Trump discarded in his first term as “one of the worst deals ever”. Stocks of US munitions and credibility have been drained.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why is crucial tech vulnerable to the heat?
Energy grids and train services are among the vital services that are vulnerable to very hot weather.
theguardian.com
ScottishPower owes me £1,000 in solar panel payments
For months I’ve been trying to receive my FIT payment, which should be more than £1,000I moved into my new house 14 months ago, and soon afterwards applied to ScottishPower, with whom the solar panels are registered for a feed-in tariff (Fit), for transfer of ownership of the panels and the tariff.After many emails back and forth, I got a response saying they had all the information required. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Complicated and expensive’: Burnham is right about the risks of nationalisation | Nils Pratley
Track record of Welsh Water shows changing ownership status is not the answer to all the woes in the utilities sectorGood news for Andy Burnham: one of the original 10 water privatisations from the Thatcher-era has already converted to a non-shareholder model. Thanks to a complicated turn-of-the-century corporate saga, Welsh Water, serving 3 million people, transferred to not-for-profit status in 2001. Financial surpluses go “straight back into keeping bills down and looking after your water and beautiful environment”, as the website blurb puts it.How’s it going? After a quarter of a century without dividend-hungry shareholders to feed, has the model proved its superiority? Not exactly. Welsh Water usually has high scores on customer trust metrics but its performance on bills and spills tends to be middle of the pack. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Fine for others to pay more’: can Japan attract more overseas tourists while charging them extra?
Japan has ambitious targets to increase overseas visitor numbers, but there are growing concerns about overtourism. One possible answer is two-tier pricingPerched dramatically on a hilltop in western Japan, Himeji castle’s striking white-plastered, tiered roofs earned it the moniker “white heron castle”. The sweeping 17th-century complex is regarded as the finest existing samurai fortress, and attracts more than one and a half million visitors a year.But as Japan seeks to manage greater numbers of foreign tourists, Himeji is one of the attractions raising admission prices for non-residents. The World Heritage site increased its admission fee to 2,500 yen ($15.50) on 1 March, but left the price for those who live in Himeji city at 1,000 yen ($6.20). Continue reading...
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The Burnham blueprint, as told by one of its architects – podcast
Andy Burnham has set out his economic plans for Britain. Neal Lawson, from the Burnham-aligned group Mainstream, explains the thinking behind itHelen Pidd has been one of Andy Burnham’s constituents for almost a decade now. She says she has seen Greater Manchester thrive on his watch. Now he wants to do for the rest of the country what he has done for her region. On Monday Burnham stood up in the People’s History Museum in Manchester and delivered his economic manifesto. Barring some 11th hour challenge or unforeseen calamity, he will have moved into No 10 by the end of July. But he says he wants to build another No 10. A Manchester one. What he is promising is radical, but just how credible is “rewiring” Britain?Neal Lawson is the founder of pressure group Compass, and more recently the Burnham-aligned Mainstream. He explains to Helen why Burnham is so keen to devolve power and what he wants to nationalise. But, he says, “I think what Burnham has done is kind of, by a sort of minor miracle, reach base camp. And now there’s the mountain to climb.” Continue reading...
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Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
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Plea for households to read energy meter as prices rise
Household energy prices have risen by 13% a year as regulator Ofgem's latest price cap kicks in.
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Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead
The new PM must balance the security budget and other urgent spending priorities, with little room for manoeuvreBurnham left with £4.7bn bill for Starmer’s new defence investment planKeir Starmer’s defence investment plan leaves behind spending problems that his successor will not be able to avoid.Military budgets will be well short of the UK’s Nato commitments by the end of the decade, and European allies and a combustible White House are likely to notice. Continue reading...
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Hospitality VAT cut: can it help the sector and at what cost to UK taxpayer?
Drop to 10% for pubs and eateries would be in line with most of Europe, but critics say it favours multinationalsBusiness live – latest updatesNearly a quarter of hospitality businesses are losing money, new data has shown, reigniting calls among chefs, pub owners and restaurateurs for their sector to be handed a reduced rate of VAT.It may seem like a no-brainer because the measure would ease pressure on the ailing sector and put the UK in line with most European countries. But critics say the measure would be extremely costly and reward big multinational businesses, without necessarily helping to spur growth. Continue reading...
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‘Am I losing this battle? Yes’: Martin Lewis on the online scams that steal his identity – and others’ life savings
Trusted by millions, the finance expert has seen his name and face used to mis-sell a string of fake investments. And yet, he says, it would be ‘very simple’ for the government to stop themThis month, an email from a consumer landed in Martin Lewis’s inbox. It was from an elderly woman with a disability who had been scammed when she invested in a scheme purportedly endorsed by Lewis – and lost her life savings. “THEY ARE BASTARDS!” Lewis wrote at the top of his social media post about it. Even though the personal finance expert is a veteran campaigner against fraud, he says he had “tears running down my face”. He still sounds upset. “I felt a mixture of frustration, anger and sadness.” Not only for the plight of the woman, but for the “constant, ongoing deluge of shit from the scammers”.Lewis never advertises anything. To hammer home the point, his social media profile picture has the words “I don’t do ads” tattooed on his forehead. But still, people fall victim to deepfake videos and frauds that appear to show him offering investments. The scale of harm is great enough that MoneySavingExpert (MSE), the company Lewis founded in 2003 and sold in 2012 for up to £87m – he is now its executive chair – has someone full-time handling these cases. Continue reading...
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Will Andy Burnham’s economic vision make us all better off? | Politics Weekly
Andy Burnham has made his first major speech since returning to Westminster. He announced proposals for a No 10 in the North as part of plans to devolve power and spread resources across the country. He said he wanted to regenerate towns, prioritising places that had been left behind.It sounds a lot like the “levelling up” of the Boris Johnson years, so can Burnham really make a change? Continue reading...
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Good for business – or profit at any cost? The controversial side of private equity – a visual explainer
While it can transform firms for better or worse, the use of private equity in essential services is attracting scrutiny. Here we examine some of its more contentious elements in the UK veterinary sectorPrivate equity could be the two most controversial words in business. For its supporters, it can bring investment, expertise and efficiency to a company. For critics, it is a one way ticket to profiteering, cutting costs and losing staff.The arguments over private equity are particularly fierce when it is used in the public sector, particularly the NHS. Continue reading...
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UK minister working up plans for state-owned housing developer
Exclusive: Steve Reed is looking at government run scheme that could borrow at lower rates than private developersThe housing secretary has been working up plans for a state-owned housing developer, according to details leaked to the Guardian, as the government looks for ways to stimulate stubbornly low rates of housebuilding.Steve Reed has been looking at proposals to set up a new state-owned developer which could borrow at lower rates than private developers and housing associations, according to plans leaked to the Guardian. Continue reading...
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The king, his millions, and the first public royal tax bill – The Latest
King Charles has become the first monarch in modern times to reveal how much tax he pays on his private income: £24.6m over the last two years.The move comes after years of calls for the monarch to be more open with the public about the royal finances. Some are heralding this as a new era of transparency – but just how open has the revelation been?Lucy Hough speaks to our European financial affairs editor, Juliette Garside Continue reading...
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Brexit: An Oral History – podcast
This week marked 10 years since the UK chose to leave the EU. In a series of interviews with key players from both sides, Kiran Stacey looks back on the Brexit vote that changed the country foreverRead the Guardian’s full article on Brexit here Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The legal fight to get equal pay for Germany's disabled workers
A test case is seeking the minimum wage for 300,000 disabled people who currently get paid less.
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Do you know your 'sweat score'? The rise of hydration tech
Hydration tracking gadgets are flooding the market but is it too much information?
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Is Germany looking again at coal-powered electricity?
It had planned to abandon the fuel, but the higher cost of natural gas may make it think again.
bbc.co.uk
The artificial ice pyramids saving India's mountain villages
Himalayan villages are creating artificial glaciers to guarantee water for their crops in the spring.
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'We had to get out of the way': The backlash over delivery robots
As the delivery vehicles increasing take to US streets, bans and protest groups are springing up.
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What is Helium-3 and could we get it from the moon?
Helium-3 is expensive and demand is forecast to soar, so some are planning to mine it on the moon.
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Why I sold my business to my staff
As more US company owners reach retirement age many are selling up to their employees.
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India's 'blue gold' starts a new drinks industry
Agave plants grow wild in India and new distillers are using them to create a spirits industry.
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The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
New candy stores are popping up across NYC. Why?
While US consumer confidence is at an historic low the Big Apple's sweet shops are expanding.
bbc.co.uk
Could humanoid robots be heading for the battlefield?
Armed forces are experimenting with humanoid robots, but battlefield deployment is some way off.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
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The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
bbc.co.uk
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
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